St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-13
TENT-DWELLlNG "MOVERS.'
Emigrants Who Tramp Across the
Country in a Leisurely and
Economical Way.

Probably no other class of people that
are confined to living space of 6x10 is
as comfortable and enjoys life as much
as the inhabitants of the tents with
which the suburbs of Kansas City
abound. These people are classed as
movers and they deserve the title,
although, like Eastern capitalists, many
of them have become infatuated with
Kansas City and the surrounding
country and have signified their inten-
ton of remaining-as long as the
weather will permit. The California
climate which Western Missouri can
claim is the thing that has raised Kan
sas City in the estimation of the movers,
for to them the fact that this lot can be
purchased at $500 foot" is of little in
tereSt, says the Kansas City Star.
While these tents on the roadside have
for a long time attracted attention on
the part of the grown people and in
spired the children with awe. the pur-
pose and mode of living of the tenants
have never been well enough understood
by even the older residents to be eX-
planned to strangers. In the first place,
who are these strangers? They are for
eigners, the majority of them, on their
way West. They prefer this way OF
travelling because it is much cheaper
than railroads, and it is far more pleas
ant way of making a trip across the
country than in closed emigrant car.
If the mover is from abroad, immedi-
ately upon his arrival at Castle Garden
he purchases the necessary outfit for
camping, and, with proper directions as
to the route to follow, starts with his
family to Kansas, or perhaps to the
hn ~, ic
menced in the spring, so that 1t may be
completed ere winter sets in. If money
is plenty the movers purchases two
horses and wagon, but often the trav
eler considers himself fortunate to pos
seSS a solitary horse, and the trip has
been known to be made without any.
The sundry expense account of the
mover is small. Ali that is needed is
tent, and if the wife is useful and deX-
ferrous one the tent is homemade. The
blankets used in making the Steerage
VOYAGE are retained, and all that is then
needed is few cheap dishes, a skillet,
and knives, forks and spoons for as
many as there are in the party, and the
outfit is complete. Little food is car
ried. Neighboring farmers will supply
the camp with everything needed at
small price, and very often generous
tiller will contribute quarter of beef
and spring chicken or two to the little
band.
The movers are progressive until they
strike the state line of Kansas and Mis-
souri,. This is usually the first long
stop that is made, and generally
lengthy rest is taken. The mover feels
that after weary tramp of thousand
miles or more he is nearing his destina-
ton, and he gives himself up to good
time. enjoys the Western air he is now
breathing, and praises the Italianysun
that shines over Kansas City almost
until the holidays arrive. The spot Sc
lected for a camp is near spring or on
the brink of a brook. Vacation here,
the men and boys shoulder the camp
rifle. and the jack rabbits are kept busy
avoiding lead. The women folk find
time to do little patching up among
the dilapidated wardrobe of the party,
that good appearance may be made
when the once far-away Western home
is finally reached.
I, This is only sort of a pleasure trip.
with business at the other end" ex-
planned an intelligent member of the
band. on the extreme south side. to re-
porter. 1--WE make hay while the sun
Shines. and enjoy ourselves while we
can, for you can imagine what hard
times are in store for lis when our trip
is ended. We are leaving friends and
families thousands of miles across the
Atlantic to settle in new country that
we know nothing about save what the
newspapers tell us. One, to look at us
all as we lie in camp, no doubt would
think that we are as happy and as free
from care as band of gypsies, but this
is not the case, for our minds are filled
with doubts of whether our future life
will be as prosperous as we hope"
The movers are OF almost every ma
tionality, although the Germans pre-
dominate. At present general clear
ing up is in progress among the movers.
and, like the birds, they are preparing
to vacate when the first cold wind indi-
Gates that winter is about to set in per-
manently.
A visitor to the camp was surprised to
find among the pots and kettles that
were being packed a variety of books,
old vet suitable. The movers as rule
are illiterate and poorly informed upon
the worlds affairs. but occasionally an
intelligent family is to be found among
these queer travellers who have been
compelled to follow this life through
force of circumstances.